Trace amounts of radioactive material detected in New York

bybayanihanonMarch 31, 2011

NEW YORK, March 30 — Trace amounts of radioactivity from Japan have been detected in New York State, CBS news reported on Tuesday.

"There are very small amounts of radioactive material from Japan in the air over the U.S.," New York State Health Department spokeswoman Claudia Hutton was quoted by CBS 6 as saying. "When it rains or snows, the material is washed to the ground and onto surface waters, such as lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Water quality is being monitored, and the drinking water throughout New York is safe," she added.

Hutton said the state does not expect the amounts to be near a level that would pose a public health concern and there is no need for New Yorkers to take potassium iodide.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced that slightly elevated levels of radiation have been detected in eight U.S. states including Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Massachusetts, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Washington. (PNA/Xinhua) scs/ebp